US-395 near Topaz Lodge reopens following several mudslides

US-395 reopened to traffic early Tuesday afternoon after multiple mudslides shut the roadway down overnight.

The mudslides stymied traffic on US-395 from State Route 208 (Holbrook Junction) to the Nevada/California state line near the Topaz Lodge, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Trooper Matt McLaughlin with the Nevada Highway Patrol said all northbound traffic was stopped at the California state line during the overnight closure and southbound traffic was diverted on SR-208 through Wellington.

A battalion chief with the East Fork Fire Protection District said the slide was in the area of the Slinkard Fire burn scar which scorched more than 8,000 acres in September 2017.

NDOT says 15+ road maintenance crews worked on scene to clear up mud and debris that was up to 5 feet deep.

A spokeswoman for Douglas County said close to 200 people inside the Topaz Lodge were evacuated to the second floor after water and mud inundated the main floor. Authorities with East Fork Fire said about four hotel rooms were damaged; but mud did not get inside the casino.

The National Weather Service in Reno issued a Flood Warning for the Topaz Lake area that expired at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Monday. Heavy rain hit the area for several hours.